Spotting the signs of sepsis – fast action saves lives

Sepsis is a medical emergency, but knowing the signs – and acting fast – can save lives and reduce lasting harm. 

As we continue to mark Sheffield Children’s landmark 150th year of delivering outstanding care in Sheffield and beyond, it is important that we continue to develop and improve our practices, putting the safety of the children and young people that we see at the centre of everything that we do.  

Sunday 13 September is World Sepsis Day, and our and our dedicated Sepsis Lead Nurse and Deputy Chief Nurse spent additional time this week speaking with colleagues and families about the signs that can help you spot sepsis and what action to take in response. 

Sepsis claims five lives an hour in the UK. It is a life-threatening condition where the body’s response to infection causes the immune system to go into overdrive. Sepsis can affect anyone at any time, but fast action can save lives. 

That’s why we’re continuing to educate our teams, refine our clinical guidance, and champion new tools to help us treat sepsis quickly and effectively.   

This World Sepsis Day, please make sure that you are familiar with any symptoms which could suggest that a child may have sepsis if they:  

• Are breathing very fast  

• Have a ‘fit’ or convulsion  

• Look mottled, bluish, or pale — on brown and black skin, colour changes may show on the inside of the forearms or palms  

• Have a rash that does not fade when you press it  

• Are very lethargic or difficult to wake  

• Feel abnormally cold to touch 

We also have initiatives in place, such as Martha’s Rule, to help spot when a patient’s condition is getting worse, giving patients, families, and carers a bigger role in their care. Martha’s Rule has now been implemented across the wards at Sheffield Children’s Hospital to help patients, and those who know them best, to raise their concerns about clinical deterioration if they feel like they are not being heard. 

We recognise that patients and the people closest to them may notice subtle changes before our teams – listening to the families of children and young people, as those who know them the best, is a critical part of our care. 

For more information about how we’re implementing Martha’s Rule at Sheffield Children’s, please visit our website: 

• www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/patients-and-parents/patienthq/marthas-rule 

For more information about sepsis, please visit: 

• www.sepsistrust.org